Jerry Cornfield

7 things state lawmakers did this session — and 1 they didn’t

The Legislature adjourned Sunday after an a 105-day session dominated by the majority Democrats’ agenda.

 

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Oh what a final night as Blake fix fails and a GOP leader exits

Here’s what’s happening after adjournment of the 2023 session of the Washington Legislature.

 

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Drug possession laws in limbo after House rejects deal on Blake bill

Democrats and Republicans vote down an agreement with a tougher penalty and paths to diversion and treatment.

 

Shianne Shelton, left, and Jennifer Smith, right, prep sandwich lunches to be delivered to the volunteers the the Arlington Airport COVID-19 vaccination site on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

House OKs capital budget with funds for dozens of county projects

Lawmakers approved funds for ballpark in Everett, a food bank in Lake Stevens and a teen center for Snohomish Boys Girls club.

Shianne Shelton, left, and Jennifer Smith, right, prep sandwich lunches to be delivered to the volunteers the the Arlington Airport COVID-19 vaccination site on Friday, Feb. 12, 2021 in Everett, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Chemene Crawford (Everett Community College)

EvCC trustees choose Chemene Crawford as next president

Crawford is the current leader of North Seattle College. She was one of three finalists for the post.

Chemene Crawford (Everett Community College)
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Chair jokes, death penalty divide and the arrival of budgets

It’s Day 103. Here’s what’s happening in the 2023 session of the Washington Legislature

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Trevor Gjendem addresses a gathering a hospital staff members, supporters and elected officials Wednesday afternoon in Everett, Washington on August 24, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

New law gives nurses stronger voice in setting hospital staffing levels

Hospital administrators and nurses will craft staffing plans together. The state will be able to make sure plans are followed.

Trevor Gjendem addresses a gathering a hospital staff members, supporters and elected officials Wednesday afternoon in Everett, Washington on August 24, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
A student works through a worksheet Monday morning at College Place Elementary School in Lynnwood, Washington on March 7, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Layoffs loom as Snohomish County schools face budget shortfalls

Edmonds, Mukilteo, Everett, Arlington and Stanwood-Camano plan to cut programs and eliminate jobs next school year.

A student works through a worksheet Monday morning at College Place Elementary School in Lynnwood, Washington on March 7, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
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Cocktails-to-go, parental rights and what clergy must report

It’s Day 101. Here’s what’s happening in the final days of the 2023 session of the Washington Legislature

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FILE -- In this Aug. 15, 2012 file photo, three variations of the AR-15 assault rifle are displayed at the California Department of Justice in Sacramento, Calif. While the guns look similar, the bottom version is illegal in California because of its quick reload capabilities. Omar Mateen used an AR-15 that he purchased legally when he killed 49 people in an Orlando nightclub over the weekend President Barack Obama and other gun control advocates have repeatedly called for reinstating a federal ban on semi-automatic assault weapons that expired in 2004, but have been thwarted by Republicans in Congress. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli,file)

State Senate backs ban on sale of assault-style weapon, again

Senators debated and voted for a second time, after the House rejected what they passed April 8.

FILE -- In this Aug. 15, 2012 file photo, three variations of the AR-15 assault rifle are displayed at the California Department of Justice in Sacramento, Calif. While the guns look similar, the bottom version is illegal in California because of its quick reload capabilities. Omar Mateen used an AR-15 that he purchased legally when he killed 49 people in an Orlando nightclub over the weekend President Barack Obama and other gun control advocates have repeatedly called for reinstating a federal ban on semi-automatic assault weapons that expired in 2004, but have been thwarted by Republicans in Congress. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli,file)
A man led police on a high speed chase through north Snohomish County on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020.   (Snohomish County Sheriff's Office)

Police poised to regain ability to undertake more pursuits

A bill partially unwinding a 2021 policing reform clears the Legislature. It is headed to Gov. Jay Inslee for his expected signing.

A man led police on a high speed chase through north Snohomish County on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020.   (Snohomish County Sheriff's Office)
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A Vodka wrinkle, a recess mandate and, at last, an official state dinosaur

It’s Day 99. Here’s what’s happening in the 2023 session of the Washington Legislature

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Dai Tou Fut, the big head Buddha, leads the lion dance to celebrate the Lunar New Year Saturday afternoon in downtown Edmonds, Washington on January 29, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)

Compromise calls for honoring Chinese community each January

It took several years. In the end, lawmakers settled on Chinese-American/Americans of Chinese Descent History Month

Dai Tou Fut, the big head Buddha, leads the lion dance to celebrate the Lunar New Year Saturday afternoon in downtown Edmonds, Washington on January 29, 2022. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
FILE - Boxes of the drug mifepristone sit on a shelf at the West Alabama Women's Center in Tuscaloosa, Ala., March 16, 2022. A federal judge in Texas on Friday, April 7, 2023, ordered a hold on the U.S. approval of the abortion medication mifepristone, throwing into question access to the nation’s most common method of abortion in a ruling that waved aside decades of scientific approval. Federal lawyers representing the FDA are expected to swiftly appeal the ruling. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed, File)

State cementing its status as haven for abortion seekers, providers

Stockpiling of mifepristone and proposed laws lower costs and ensure access for patients, protect those who perform abortions

FILE - Boxes of the drug mifepristone sit on a shelf at the West Alabama Women's Center in Tuscaloosa, Ala., March 16, 2022. A federal judge in Texas on Friday, April 7, 2023, ordered a hold on the U.S. approval of the abortion medication mifepristone, throwing into question access to the nation’s most common method of abortion in a ruling that waved aside decades of scientific approval. Federal lawyers representing the FDA are expected to swiftly appeal the ruling. (AP Photo/Allen G. Breed, File)
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A date for a budget and an ex-pat’s fight with Minnesota’s powers-that-be

It’s Day 96. Here’s what’s happening in the 2023 session of the Washington Legislature

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New law lets Snohomish County pour millions into rental assistance

The measure signed by the governor Friday will give the county flexibility in how it spends a special affordable housing sales tax.

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House passes ‘Blake’ bill to enshrine drug possession as misdemeanor

It is at odds with the Senate version which had a harsher penalty. The two chambers will have a week to sort it out.

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Mike Fong

Former Snohomish County official to lead WA Department of Commerce

Mike Fong oversaw county’s pandemic recovery efforts in 2021. He’ll take the reins of large state agency next month.

Mike Fong
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A Blake battle, a budget beef, and a new tax proposal arrives

It’s Day 94. Here’s what’s happening in the 2023 session of the Washington Legislature

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A man led police on a high speed chase through north Snohomish County on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020.   (Snohomish County Sheriff's Office)

House passes bill giving police greater ability to undertake pursuits

The measure would allow a police officer to initiate a chase with reasonable suspicion a crime has been committed.

A man led police on a high speed chase through north Snohomish County on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020.   (Snohomish County Sheriff's Office)